Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Hearing the Acts of the Apostles proclaimed in Easter, we hear of both the beautiful aspects of the Church which we strive to imitate, and we see that from the earliest years of Christianity there were also debates which threatened Church unity. St. Paul and St. Barnabas give us apostolic examples of how to engage in debate while still remaining in Christ.
First, they paid attention to what fellow Christians are teaching, and sought to discuss that teaching with the persons themselves who said things like “Unless you are circumcised… you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1) They neither ignored the questionable claims of others, nor did they simply discuss those claims when those making them were not around. No, Paul and Barnabas spoke with their brothers and opponents directly. Secondly, when St. Paul found the local debate was not going anywhere, he found a further authority to which both he and his opponents could turn for deciding the matter: the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem. (Acts 15:2) St. Paul and Barnabas were humble enough to accept authorities higher than themselves who could settle the arguments they had with their brothers with whom they debated. Thirdly, they remained focused upon the work of God, “the conversion of the Gentiles”, and they continued to tell everyone about this source of joy. (Acts 15:3) St. Paul and St. Barnabas never let the debate distract them from what God was doing (which is what they were trying to understand better), nor did they abandon the joy of God’s work in the midst of debate and appeal.
Our Lord tells the Apostles and each member of the Church to remain in Him as a branch in the vine. The branch both remains in the vine as its source of life, and is also pushed forth by the vine to go out and produce fruit. Let us prayerfully remain in Christ, allowing His words and His grace, especially in the sacraments, to remain in us and to give us life. And let us allow our true Vine to push us forth to bear good fruit. In our world where we must bear that fruit, we will encounter much to be debated. By prayer, by humble directness with our brothers and regard for proper authority, let us seek to remain focused on the work of God, and ever seek to let God remain in us and bear good fruit through us.